School Staff

Amy has been in education since 1993 and is a graduate of Purdue University with a B.A. in Education. She completed a M.ED. in Education Administration through Indiana Wesleyan and her religious colloquy through Concordia Chicago. Her diverse teaching experiences range from years in inner-city public schools to time at a private school for gift-talented, which have helped to refine the classroom and curriculum development skills she brings to Our Shepherd. A lifelong Lutheran originally from the Fort Wayne area, she has lived in the Indianapolis area since 1997, and has been a member of Our Shepherd since 2001. Amy and her husband have four children: Shelby, Lauren, Alec, and Ian. Amy practices her photography skills during the family road trips. When at home, she likes to try new recipes on her family and spend time visiting with friends.

Amy has been in Early Childhood Education since 2015, and is a graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree.  She enjoys watching the preschoolers open up to build friendships with their classmates and learn about Jesus. She has worked as a live-in nanny, has taught in day cares, and also works in an emergency room. She is married to her husband Dave and they have one daughter, Morgan. When time allows, Amy enjoys painting in several different mediums as well as creating wall murals.

Mrs. Helmkamp's Blog

Abby is a life-long west-sider of Indy. She and her husband, Josh, and their children live in Danville.  She holds a degree from the IU School of Education at IUPUI in Elementary Education and has licensure in general and special education.  As a family they love being outside, traveling, gardening, and spending time with extended family.  “I feel so fortunate to be able to work here at Our Shepherd and get to know each and every one of my students and their families.”  

Lisa has been in education for 11 years and is a graduate of Concordia University Chicago with degrees in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. She also has her Masters degree in Education from the University of Texas, enabling her to be certified in School Counseling and Guidance. She has taught over ten years in Lutheran schools with student bodies of less than 60 as well as over 600 students. She is a busy mom to three children, Ben, Drew, and Mia. Lisa enjoys music and sings with a praise team at Our Shepherd. She and her husband, Jon, enjoy hiking and camping with their family.

Jena grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She went to Calvary Lutheran Grade School and Kansas City Lutheran High School. She then graduated from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. In 1996, she received her teaching certificate from University of Missouri - St. Louis in 1999 and started teaching in Lutheran schools. She received a Masters in Education as a Reading Specialist from University of Nebraska - Kearney in 2012.

Jena is married to Marcus (Senior Pastor at Advent Evangelical Lutheran in Zionsville) has 4 boys - Malachi, Matthias, Micah, and Marc.

Hannah was born in California, but moved to Nebraska in second grade. She grew up in Grand Island with her two younger sisters, older brother, and parents. Since then, a sister-in-law and a baby niece have been added to her family. When she is not teaching, she enjoys reading or doing calligraphy. She earned her education from Concordia University Nebraska in Seward. After graduation, she took her first call to Our Shepherd Lutheran School here in Avon teaching third grade.

Kim has been in education 17 years and graduated from Concordia University, Chicago. She has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with concentrations in Language Arts and Art. She taught third grade for four years in Dundee, IL, and then married and moved to Minnesota. After having three children, she stayed home to be with her family. Kim taught middle school Social Studies for eight years before taking over her current position as fifth grade homeroom teacher and middle school Social Studies teacher. She has been in this position for the last 6 years. Kim’s hobbies include hiking, walking, cycling, cooking, baking, and various crafts.

Middle School Website

Rachel has been in education 15 years and graduated from Concordia University, River Forest IL. She has a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Indianapolis.

Middle School Website

Nikki has been in education for 11 years in both Lutheran and public schools. She graduated from Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin, with a Bachelors of Science, and completed her secondary science teaching certificate from Indiana Wesleyan. She has been teaching and coaching volleyball at OSLS for many years. Currently, she serves as the 7th grade homeroom teacher, middle school science teacher, varsity volleyball, and track coach.

Besides teaching, Nikki loves to spend time with her four children, Hannah, Bethany, Ezra, and Matthias. Along with her husband, Pastor Seth Mierow of St. Peter Lutheran in Indianapolis, she enjoys the many opportunities to express and share in the faith we have been given through our Risen Lord.

Middle School Website

Mrs. Prahlow was an Early Childhood Aide at Our Shepherd for two years before stepping into new roles this year. Julie grew up in Zeeland, MI which is very close to Holland, MI on Lake Michigan. She is married to Nate and they have three boys: Joshua, going to Purdue, Caleb going to Covenant Christian High School, and Jonathan at OS. Julie loves to be outside-camping, hiking, gardening in particular. She also loves to read and play board games. Mrs. Prahlow loves sharing about Jesus with others and has traveled on mission trips to Honduras, Mexico, Cambodia, Canada, and in the United States.

Tomi Mattick is our admissions coordinator. She manages all enrollments and school marketing. Tomi and her family, including husband T.J and daughters, Lila and Elin are very active at Our Shepherd. You can also find them helping our at our food pantry and numerous outreach events. Lila is a graduate of Our Shepherd and Elin is currently in Our Shepherd's middle school.

The-Resā is a graduate of Advanced Vocational Health Institute with a degree as a certified nurse assistant (CNA) and home health care. She has been a member of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church and School for 23 years, aiding in the Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten rooms for all those years. The-Resā owns her own cleaning service, too. She has one son, Larry, who graduated from Our Shepherd Lutheran as salutatorian, attended Lutheran High School for his freshman and sophomore years, and completed his junior and senior years at Ball State University for Mathematics, Science and Humanities.  The-Resā loves taking care of children and senior citizens. She also enjoys sewing, singing, camping, skiing, cycling, skating, painting, crocheting, and knitting. Most of all she enjoys letting her life be an example for non-Christians who are unbelievers, that the Lord Jesus Christ can work through all.

Kristine graduated from the University of Evansville with a B.S. in Biology. While working in healthcare, Kristine has often led Bible Studies for kids, taught at Vacation Bible School, and taught Sunday School. She became a member of Our Shepherd in 2010. She and her husband, Mark, have a son, David. Kristine enjoys swimming, hiking, and scrapbooking.

Doug is from Brownsburg, IN. He and his wife have one child, Jordan, at Our Shepherd. He loves any and all sports and spending time with friends and family.

Steve's primary role as the Business Manager is to provide staff oversight of financial records, human resources administration, and facility management at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church and School. His role encompasses a variety of support functions including, but not limited to, bookkeeping, donor records management, human resources and benefits administration, and facilities management.

Steve is our Director of Sanctuary Music. He plays the organ for our traditional worship services. He also directs our special music groups, which include choirs, brass ensembles, and handbells. Steve also teaches choir and band classes for our students. 

Amy has been in education since 1993 and is a graduate of Purdue University with a B.A. in Education. She completed a M.ED. in Education Administration through Indiana Wesleyan and her religious colloquy through Concordia Chicago. Her diverse teaching experiences range from years in inner-city public schools to time at a private school for gift-talented, which have helped to refine the classroom and curriculum development skills she brings to Our Shepherd. A lifelong Lutheran originally from the Fort Wayne area, she has lived in the Indianapolis area since 1997, and has been a member of Our Shepherd since 2001. Amy and her husband have four children: Shelby, Lauren, Alec, and Ian. Amy practices her photography skills during the family road trips. When at home, she likes to try new recipes on her family and spend time visiting with friends.

Amy has been in Early Childhood Education since 2015, and is a graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree.  She enjoys watching the preschoolers open up to build friendships with their classmates and learn about Jesus. She has worked as a live-in nanny, has taught in day cares, and also works in an emergency room. She is married to her husband Dave and they have one daughter, Morgan. When time allows, Amy enjoys painting in several different mediums as well as creating wall murals.

Mrs. Helmkamp's Blog

Abby is a life-long west-sider of Indy. She and her husband, Josh, and their children live in Danville.  She holds a degree from the IU School of Education at IUPUI in Elementary Education and has licensure in general and special education.  As a family they love being outside, traveling, gardening, and spending time with extended family.  “I feel so fortunate to be able to work here at Our Shepherd and get to know each and every one of my students and their families.”  

Lisa has been in education for 11 years and is a graduate of Concordia University Chicago with degrees in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. She also has her Masters degree in Education from the University of Texas, enabling her to be certified in School Counseling and Guidance. She has taught over ten years in Lutheran schools with student bodies of less than 60 as well as over 600 students. She is a busy mom to three children, Ben, Drew, and Mia. Lisa enjoys music and sings with a praise team at Our Shepherd. She and her husband, Jon, enjoy hiking and camping with their family.

Jena grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She went to Calvary Lutheran Grade School and Kansas City Lutheran High School. She then graduated from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. In 1996, she received her teaching certificate from University of Missouri - St. Louis in 1999 and started teaching in Lutheran schools. She received a Masters in Education as a Reading Specialist from University of Nebraska - Kearney in 2012.

Jena is married to Marcus (Senior Pastor at Advent Evangelical Lutheran in Zionsville) has 4 boys - Malachi, Matthias, Micah, and Marc.

Hannah was born in California, but moved to Nebraska in second grade. She grew up in Grand Island with her two younger sisters, older brother, and parents. Since then, a sister-in-law and a baby niece have been added to her family. When she is not teaching, she enjoys reading or doing calligraphy. She earned her education from Concordia University Nebraska in Seward. After graduation, she took her first call to Our Shepherd Lutheran School here in Avon teaching third grade.

Kim has been in education 17 years and graduated from Concordia University, Chicago. She has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with concentrations in Language Arts and Art. She taught third grade for four years in Dundee, IL, and then married and moved to Minnesota. After having three children, she stayed home to be with her family. Kim taught middle school Social Studies for eight years before taking over her current position as fifth grade homeroom teacher and middle school Social Studies teacher. She has been in this position for the last 6 years. Kim’s hobbies include hiking, walking, cycling, cooking, baking, and various crafts.

Middle School Website

Rachel has been in education 15 years and graduated from Concordia University, River Forest IL. She has a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Indianapolis.

Middle School Website

Nikki has been in education for 11 years in both Lutheran and public schools. She graduated from Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin, with a Bachelors of Science, and completed her secondary science teaching certificate from Indiana Wesleyan. She has been teaching and coaching volleyball at OSLS for many years. Currently, she serves as the 7th grade homeroom teacher, middle school science teacher, varsity volleyball, and track coach.

Besides teaching, Nikki loves to spend time with her four children, Hannah, Bethany, Ezra, and Matthias. Along with her husband, Pastor Seth Mierow of St. Peter Lutheran in Indianapolis, she enjoys the many opportunities to express and share in the faith we have been given through our Risen Lord.

Middle School Website

Mrs. Prahlow was an Early Childhood Aide at Our Shepherd for two years before stepping into new roles this year. Julie grew up in Zeeland, MI which is very close to Holland, MI on Lake Michigan. She is married to Nate and they have three boys: Joshua, going to Purdue, Caleb going to Covenant Christian High School, and Jonathan at OS. Julie loves to be outside-camping, hiking, gardening in particular. She also loves to read and play board games. Mrs. Prahlow loves sharing about Jesus with others and has traveled on mission trips to Honduras, Mexico, Cambodia, Canada, and in the United States.

Tomi Mattick is our admissions coordinator. She manages all enrollments and school marketing. Tomi and her family, including husband T.J and daughters, Lila and Elin are very active at Our Shepherd. You can also find them helping our at our food pantry and numerous outreach events. Lila is a graduate of Our Shepherd and Elin is currently in Our Shepherd's middle school.

The-Resā is a graduate of Advanced Vocational Health Institute with a degree as a certified nurse assistant (CNA) and home health care. She has been a member of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church and School for 23 years, aiding in the Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten rooms for all those years. The-Resā owns her own cleaning service, too. She has one son, Larry, who graduated from Our Shepherd Lutheran as salutatorian, attended Lutheran High School for his freshman and sophomore years, and completed his junior and senior years at Ball State University for Mathematics, Science and Humanities.  The-Resā loves taking care of children and senior citizens. She also enjoys sewing, singing, camping, skiing, cycling, skating, painting, crocheting, and knitting. Most of all she enjoys letting her life be an example for non-Christians who are unbelievers, that the Lord Jesus Christ can work through all.

Kristine graduated from the University of Evansville with a B.S. in Biology. While working in healthcare, Kristine has often led Bible Studies for kids, taught at Vacation Bible School, and taught Sunday School. She became a member of Our Shepherd in 2010. She and her husband, Mark, have a son, David. Kristine enjoys swimming, hiking, and scrapbooking.

Doug is from Brownsburg, IN. He and his wife have one child, Jordan, at Our Shepherd. He loves any and all sports and spending time with friends and family.